According to a new report by Market Research firm Canalis, Global smartphone shipments recorded an increase of 0.2 per cent for a period of 0.2 per cent for the January-March period (Q1) in 2025. The markets including India, Latin America saw a significant decline in Q1 2025, while China and the US registered an increase. Samsung topped the first quarter by holding 20 percent market share. After the previous trends, Apple was in second place, followed by Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi and Oppo top four positions.
As latest Canalis ResearchGlobal smartphone shipment touched 296.9 million units in Q1 this year, registering only 0.2 percent yoy growth from the same period last year. The growth for the third consecutive quarter slowed down as vendors preferred healthy inventory levels.
Samsung retains the lead with 20 percent market share
Samsung maintained its lead over rival phone manufacturers in Q1 2025, capturing 60.5 million units of shipping and 20 percent market share. The growth of the South Korean tech brand was operated by the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 series and the release of the new Galaxy A series smartphone.
Apple sent 55.0 million units and finished second with 19 percent market share. The Cupertino-based company benefited from growth in emerging Asia Pacific markets and the United States.
Canalis smartphone market pulse: Q1 2025
Photo Credit: Canalis
Xiaomi was sent to 41.8 million units and 14 percent was third with market share. Vivo and Oppo were fourth and fifth, showing 22.9 million and 22.7 million units respectively. The market share of both Chinese smartphone brands was 8 percent.
The Canalis report shows that markets such as the mainland China, America and Africa saw a healthy growth, while India, Europe and Middle East carefully approached the market. Government subsidy programs are said to have inspired China’s development, while Africa has benefited from retail activities and active market expansion efforts.
The US smartphone market increased 12 percent year on the year Q1, mainly operated by Apple. “Apple constructed inventory in front of the anticipated tariff policies. While the iphones produced in the mainland China still eat for the majority of the American shipment, the production in India moved towards the end of the quarter, to cover the iPhone 15 and 16 series standard models, to grow rapidly in the production of 16 Pro series.
The Xuan Chairds said they hope that the US market would have experienced a lot of instability in the next two to three quarters, which would be affected by inventory improvement and weakening of consumer confidence.
Canalis chief analyst Toby Zhu said, “Major smartphone brands have not yet adjusted their entire year shipment goals.” He says that they are hopeful of a rebound to start Q2, with early signs of recovery in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
